DA Daily

You can’t agree to disagree if you can’t even agree on what you disagree about. Yet such is the condition of the debate over using state test results in teacher and principal evaluations. But without common facts, how can the Legislature reach common ground?

The push for more and better STEM education comes mainly from companies who need more educated employees. But there are other reasons to support better education in math and science. In the 21st century, they are prerequisites to competent self-government.

A reform legislation proposal would substantially reconfigure charter school authorization by allowing nearly 100 Pennsylvania institutions of higher education to approve charters without review or approval of local school boards.

The House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to a bill reviewing the creation of a state-run virtual school. The proposal’s moratorium on privately-run virtual charter schools is drawing strong opposition.

Under the new House legislation, schools boards have the discretion to take incidents on a case-by-case basis and would no longer be forced to expel or suspend students caught with a fishing knife or baseball bat in their car on school grounds.

New rules from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will slowly eliminate unhealthy foods in schools starting July 1. The agency and the White House also announced a proposal to phase out advertising of those foods at schools.

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is partnering with New Regency, Penguin Books, and the filmmakers to distribute copies of the film, book and study guide 12 Years a Slave to public high schools.